Pregnant or Parenting Students

As a pregnant or parenting student at The College of New Jersey, you are protected under TCNJ’s Title IX policy. Title IX prohibits educational institutions from discriminating against pregnant students based upon their marital status and cannot discriminate against a student because of childbirth, false pregnancy, or recovery from related conditions.

We are currently working on updating this page. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Title IX coordinator, Jordan Draper, at either 609-771-3266, or draperj@tcnj.edu.

Discrimination and Harassment

Discrimination under Title IX includes:

Differential treatment on the basis of sex/gender that causes impact or inequity.

Gender-based harassment that is unwanted and severe, persistent or pervasive to create a hostile environment.

Sexual harassment

Quid pro quo (this for that)

Severe, persistent or pervasive unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that create a hostile environment.

Retaliation for filing or participating in a grievance is a violation of Title IX.

What Kind of Accommodations do I Have?

If pregnant, you have the option to meet with our Title IX coordinator to obtain information about how the school supports pregnant students in continuing their education. Reasonable accommodation cannot be refused based on faculty individual policies or university policies that indiscriminately prescribe attendance without pregnancy, disability, or medical condition consideration. Students have several options regarding their educational future and accommodations vary from student from student. Examples of accommodations may include:

Excusing absences due to pregnancy, or related conditions

Excusing absences for parenting students (both male and female) who need to care for their sick children

Flexible deadlines for work submissions

Rescheduling tests and exams

Providing alternatives to make up missed work

Providing work desks

Permitting access to elevators

Athletics and Extracurricular Activities

Pregnancy-related portions of Title IX regulations also apply to athletic departments, and TCNJ will treat student-athletes with pregnancy-related conditions the same as other ill or injured student-athletes. Financial awards to pregnant student-athletes who remains engaged with the athletic department will be renewed. Formerly pregnant student-athletes must be returned to the status which she held when the leave began.

Male Students As Parents

Title IX’s prohibition on pregnancy discrimination also applies to male students who are parents. As many academic policies may apply with equal force to male students who are parenting, TCNJ will provide gender-neutral policies in cases where male students require accommodations for parenting.

How Do I Request Accommodations?

As a pregnant or parenting student, you can seek accommodations through TCNJ’s Title IX office, located in the Brower Student Center Room 201. After meeting with the Title IX Office, students will be assisted through creation of an individualized plan tailored to the student’s needs. This plan will cover academics, financial aid, how and when adjustments will be implemented, and any other matters relevant to the student’s situation.

Resources, Pumping, & Changing Areas On Campus

TCNJ is currently working on more areas to accommodate the needs of parenting students. Currently, we have a lactation area in the basement of Green Hall. Additionally, we have these locations if you need a private restroom in the Student Center, 1st Floor Restroom (changing table is available in this restroom) and Education Building, 1st Floor.

For information on lactation rooms please contact the Title IX Coordinator (609-771-3266) so a location can be designated based on your needs.